Catheter curve retention device

Abstract

A retaining device for receiving the curved distal end of a catheter to maintain the catheter in its curved configuration and to prevent straightening of the curved catheter is formed from a pair of flexible sheets face-to-face and sealed to each other along a line conforming to the periphery of the curve of the catheter, the pocket having an opening therein to receive the curved distal end of the catheter. The sheets are permeable to sterilizing agent and may be torn apart to separate them and permit easy removal of the catheter when the catheter is to be used.

Having thus described the invention, what I desire to claim and secure by letters patent is: 
     
       1. In combination, a catheter having a preformed curved distal end and a device for retaining the preformed curved distal end of the catheter in its preformed curved configuration comprising: said distal end of said catheter having at least one preformed curve formed therein;   said retention device comprising a pocket receptive to the preformed curved distal end of the catheter, said locations being disposed to restrain said curve in the curved distal end of the catheter at at least one point proximally and distally of the curve;   said pocket having an opening adapted to enable the preformed curved distal end of the catheter to be inserted into the pocket;   said distal end of the catheter being received in the pocket.   
     
     
       2. A catheter and retention device as defined in claim 1 further comprising: the sheets having flaps extending peripherally of the pocket, said flaps being adapted to be gripped to enable the sheets to be torn apart.   
     
     
       3. A catheter and retention device as defined in claim 1 wherein the facing surfaces of the sheets are formed from a thermoplastic material and are heat sealed to each other at said locations. 
     
     
       4. A catheter and retention device as defined in claim 3 wherein the sheets are formed from a polyethylene. 
     
     
       5. A catheter and retention device as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of the sheets is formed from a material which is permeable to ethylene oxide. 
     
     
       6. A catheter and retention device as defined in claim 1 wherein the sheets and means for attaching the sheets to each other is selected to withstand temperatures as great as the order of 140°. 
     
     
       7. A catheter and retention device as defined in claim 1 wherein the pocket is substantially planar said catheter having a curved distal end which lies substantially in a plane. 
     
     
       8. A catheter and retention device as defined in claim 1 wherein the pocket is formed to define a configuration adapted to resist removal of the curved end of the catheter through the opening in the pocket. 
     
     
       9. A catheter and retention device as defined in claim 1 further comprising: said pocket being shaped to conform to the periphery of the curved distal end of the catheter.